UN initiates fence against Israeli cows

UNIFIL troops from Spain, India offer to build fence to guard pond in southern Lebanon, which they say attracts cows from Israel

Ynet|Published: 07.24.09 , 23:36

Although the United Nations failed to prevent 15 Lebanese citizens from crossing the border
into Israel
last week, a UNIFIL force in southern Lebanon
is trying to stop Israeli cows from drinking the water of a pond on Lebanese territory near the northern border.

A Lebanese website reported Friday that Spanish and Indian peacekeepers had offered to build a metal fence which would encircle the pool, preventing the Israeli cows from drinking its water and allowing Lebanese shepherds to come to the area with their herds.

The proposal was made in a meeting between senior UN officials in southern Lebanon and the leaders of one of the villages in the area.

About a year ago, Spanish troops fired at a bull who had crossed the border from Israel to Lebanon and was making his way to the pond. The bull was shot to death after attacking a UNIFIL force and goring vehicles.

Meanwhile, a UN envoy said Friday that Israel, Lebanon and Hezbollah
still wanted to keep the truce that ended a devastating 2006 war
despite recent incidents that have raised tensions.

Michael Williams, the UN special coordinator for Lebanon, told The Associated Press in an interview that he was confident the UN Security Council would renew the mandate of peacekeepers due to expire next month.